How to Get Rid of Greasy Hair, Fast and for Real

The difference between greasy hair and good hair can honestly make or break your day, which is why it’s important to know how to get rid of greasy hair. Oily roots aren’t just a bad look—they can also lead to real scalp issues, like seborrheic dermatitis (which is when excess oil and yeast mix together on your scalp, creating flakes, redness, and irritation). Not cute. But here’s the thing: greasy hair doesn’t always mean dirty hair. Sometimes it’s your wash routine. Other times, it’s your scalp oil going into overdrive.

The worst part? Greasy hair doesn’t look the same for everyone…even if two people use the exact same hair products. On straight hair, you’ll see shiny, flat strands almost instantly—which requires a certain approach to nurse back to health. On curly hair, you can “hide” oil a little longer…but then you’ll battle product buildup instead. Different hair types, different problems. And that’s exactly why we’re here.

Below, find your guide to getting rid of greasy hair—fast, safe, and for real.

How to Get Rid of Greasy Hair

If you’ve ever stood in front of the mirror wondering why your roots are oily mere hours after washing, you’re not alone. Greasy hair isn’t the end of the world, but it can make you feel like it is.

This post breaks down everything: what greasy hair actually looks like on different hair types, why it happens in the first place, and most importantly, how to fix it. From smart tweaks to your wash routine to the best clarifying shampoos and scalp products, these tips will help you create a hair care routine to manage excess oil without wrecking your strands.

What Does Greasy Hair Look Like?

Greasy hair doesn’t always scream “oily scalp” the same way. On straight hair, it usually looks limp, flat, and shiny, especially near the roots. On wavy hair, you’ll see weighed-down bends that clump together, making waves lose their bounce. If you have curly hair, oil might take longer to show up, but instead, you’ll notice product buildup and dullness. And with coily or textured hair, grease often mixes with heavy styling products, leading to scalp flakiness or clogged hair shafts.

Knowing what greasy hair looks like for your unique texture is key to treating it effectively. A curly girl’s fix (say, exfoliating buildup) might not be what someone with fine straight hair needs (like cutting back on heavy conditioners).

For more on hair patterns, check out our breakdown of wavy vs curly hair.

What Causes Greasy Hair?

Overactive Oil Glands

Greasy hair usually starts with an oily scalp. When your sebaceous glands (a.k.a. the teeny tiny organs that create and release oils) produce too much sebum, it travels down the hair shafts and weighs everything down.

Product Buildup

Heavy styling products, leave-ins, and even “moisturizing” shampoos can coat your scalp and hair shafts. Over time, this buildup traps oil and makes hair feel greasy—even right after you wash. That’s why clarifying shampoo or scalp scrubs are key to resetting your wash routine. (More on that later.)

Washing Too Often (or Not Enough)

Ironically, washing your hair too much can trigger your scalp to produce even more oil. When you wash your hair daily with strong shampoos, your scalp panics and ramps up oil production. The result? Even oilier roots. On the flip side, not washing enough leaves product buildup clinging to your strands. Our professional recommendation? Wash your hair every other day if you have finer, straighter strands; and wash your hair once a week if you’re on the curlier side.

Hormones and Lifestyle

Hormones (hi, stress and periods) plus lifestyle factors like sweat from working out, blow drying, or even air drying too long can all influence oil production. Other big hormonal shifts (think puberty, pregnancy, or stress spikes) can also send oil production soaring. This all throws your skin out of balance, which includes your scalp.

How To Make Hair Less Greasy

Here’s the good news: getting rid of greasy hair is manageable. With the right tweaks, you can reset your scalp and keep your hair feeling clean longer.

Wash less frequently.

Washing every day can make oily hair worse. Try spacing washes to every other day—or even every three days—so your scalp rebalances its oil production. For oily hair, aim for every other day. For curly hair, you may stretch it longer.

Use a clarifying shampoo weekly.

A clarifying shampoo clears out product buildup and scalp oil in one go. Use it once or twice a week to deep clean without drying out your hair.

Don’t skip conditioner—just apply differently.

Yes, you still need a conditioner bar or cream. Just keep it from mid-length to ends instead of on oily roots.

Try apple cider vinegar rinses.

ACV balances your scalp’s pH and cuts through excess oil. It’s also great for product buildup if your styling products won’t quit. Use it as a rinse after shampooing for a natural reset.

Use dry shampoo between washes.

Dry shampoo absorbs excess oil and helps extend your wash routine. Foam or spray—just brush it out fully so it doesn’t leave a white cast.

Be gentle with heat.

Blow-drying directly on your roots can trigger more oil production. Instead, focus on mid-lengths and ends, and finish with cool air. (In case you were wondering, the “opposite vibe” of greasy hair would be fluffy hair. And yes, we have a post about how to get fluffy hair.

What to Use for Greasy Hair

Cécred Clarifying Shampoo

Available on Ulta ($38)

In case you didn’t know, Cécred is Beyoncé’s hair care brand—and it really is as good as they say. This clarifying shampoo cuts through scalp oil and leaves hair feeling light without stripping moisture. It’s great for all hair types dealing with greasy buildup.

Cécred Hydrating Conditioner

Available on Ulta ($31)

Unlike heavy conditioners, this one hydrates without weighing down your hair shafts. Perfect for oily roots but dry ends. That said, if you’ve noticed your strands get oily from bottom to top, you may want to consider another product.

Isima Riquísima Hydrating Shampoo

Available on Ulta ($32)

Another celeb brand that’s worth the hype? Shakira’s Isima. Made with nourishing botanicals, this shampoo balances hydration and oil control—ideal if you want to cleanse oily hair without making dry hair worse. I’ve been using this for several weeks and have been so happy with just how hydrating it really is.

Isima Suavísima Hydrating Conditioner

Available on Ulta ($32)

Lightweight yet effective, this conditioner smooths strands without leaving residue behind. It works especially well on fine hair that gets greasy fast, but it’s also wonderful for coilier strands. According to superstar founder Shakira, this line is made for people whose hair types have often been overlooked.

Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Tea Tree Buildup Detox Spray

Available on Amazon ($26)

This spray is a game-changer for product buildup and scalp oil. With tea tree oil and charcoal, it’s soothing and detoxifying in one step. Spritz this on your scalp and leave it on for up to 15 minutes. After rinsing out, proceed to wash your hair with your go-to shampoo and conditioner.

Rizos Curls Detox Scalp Scrub

Available on Ulta ($28) | Also available on Amazon

Exfoliate your scalp to clear out excess oil and debris. This scrub boosts hair health and makes your wash routine way more effective.

Rizos Curls Apple Cider Vinegar Scalp & Hair Rinse

Available on Ulta ($22) | Also available on Target and Amazon

This rinse restores scalp balance with apple cider vinegar and aloe. It’s a great reset between shampoos and safe for color treated hair.

Biotera Dry Shampoo Foam

Available on Amazon ($19)

A refreshing alternative to powders and aerosols, this dry shampoo foam absorbs oil while adding light volume. It’s great for oily hair on the go; and even better to get of greasy hair fast. Just keep in mind that this may not pass a TSA inspection.

The bottom line: Greasy hair doesn’t have to be your default setting. You can figure out how to get rid of greasy hair. With the right wash routine, clarifying shampoo, scalp-friendly styling products, and a few smart swaps, you can control excess oil and keep your hair feeling fresh. Whether you’re battling oily roots, dry hair ends, or product buildup, there’s a fix that’ll work for you.